>>mitt romney has pulled ahead of president obama in a new poll. the pew research center poll of likely voters shows romney leading the president 49 percent to 45 percent. just last month. romney trailed the president by 8-points. romney's favorable rating has climbed to 50 percent while the president's has dropped to 49 percent. the survey followed the first presidential debate. two-thirds of those surveyed say romney won the debate. the two candidates for the illinois' eighth congressional district meet tonight in another debate. republican joe walsh and democrat tammy duckworth will debate at seven o'clock at the meadows club in rolling meadows. the event is open to eighth district residents. duckworth has accused walsh of being a right-wing extremist. walsh says duckworth is a tax- and-spend liberal. the eighth district was recently redrawn to favor the democrats. time is running out to register for next month's election. to handle a last-minute rush of registrations. the chicago board of elections at 69 west washington is open today until midn